Service · System group 2

Heating and heat supply systems

Aurora Engineering designs heat supply systems for new and existing buildings: heat load calculation to EN 12831, heat generators from heat pumps and district heating to CHP, distribution networks with hydraulic balancing and surface heating systems, compliant with energy law and designed for low running costs.

Heat supply determines a building’s carbon footprint and running costs for decades. We compare generator options by life-cycle cost and design distribution networks that operate efficiently at low system temperatures.

Heat supply: digital room thermostat of a modern heating system

Scope of services

What we design in heating

  • Heat load and energy demand

    Room-by-room heat load to EN 12831, energy demand to DIN V 18599, compliance with the German Building Energy Act.

  • Heat generators

    Air and ground source heat pumps, district heating substations, CHP, biomass, hybrid systems and peak load boilers.

  • Distribution networks and hydraulics

    Pipe network calculation, hydraulic balancing, pump sizing, buffer storage and pressure maintenance.

  • Heat emitters

    Underfloor and ceiling heating, thermally activated slabs, radiators, unit heaters and hall heating.

  • Refurbishment of existing buildings

    Survey, conversion to low system temperatures, phased concepts during ongoing operation.

  • Waste heat and sector coupling

    Use of process and server waste heat, coupling with cooling and photovoltaics.

Who it is for

Who this service is for

  • Housing companies and developers

    who need compliant, fundable heating concepts with predictable costs.

  • Public clients and administrations

    with refurbishment projects and decarbonisation targets.

  • Industry and commerce

    with hall heating, process heat and waste heat potential.

Process and interfaces

Process and interfaces

  1. 1

    Brief and energy concept

    Heat load, demand profiles, generator comparison including subsidies and life-cycle costs.

  2. 2

    Developed design and permits

    Sizing, plant areas, flue and exhaust, energy compliance, subsidy applications.

  3. 3

    Technical design

    Hydraulic schematics, pipe network, control strategy, BIM model, tender documents.

  4. 4

    Site supervision and commissioning

    MEP site supervision, hydraulic balancing, controls setting, acceptance.

Standards and guidelines

Standards, key figures and quality

Standards and guidelines

  • EN 12831 (heat load)
  • German Building Energy Act 2024 and DIN V 18599
  • VDI 2035 (water quality) and VDI 4645 (heat pumps)
  • EN 1264 (surface heating)
  • AGFW rules (district heating)
  • BEG funding guidelines

Quality factors and key figures

  • System temperatures 35/28 °C to 55/45 °C for heat pumps
  • Seasonal performance factor above 3.5 as a target
  • Hydraulic balancing method B
  • Documented storage and control strategy
  • Waste heat use before new generation

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about heating design

Heat pump or district heating: which is more economical?

It depends on district heating price, electricity tariff, building envelope and subsidies. We compare both options with real load profiles over 20 years and show the cost threshold transparently.

Does a heat pump work in an existing building?

In most cases yes, if emitters and hydraulics are converted to low flow temperatures. We check this room by room via the heat load and propose targeted adjustments.

Do you also handle subsidy applications?

We prepare the technical evidence and accompany the BEG application together with energy efficiency experts.

Designing or refurbishing a heat supply?

We compare generator options and show you the most economical path to decarbonisation.